Family vacations and outings are perfect opportunities to enjoy new adventures and build lasting memories. Although Las Vegas, NV, is known as Sin City and has earned a global reputation for its dance clubs, casinos, and adult-oriented entertainment, parents will be thrilled to know there’s a long list of fun things to do in Las Vegas with kids. Let’s explore some of the family-friendly options you can enjoy in Vegas.
1. Stay at a Vegas landmark.
When you stay in one of the world-famous Vegas downtown hotels, you’ll only have to Google “kid activities near me” to find plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy. You can also get a chance to stay in an establishment tied to Vegas history.
When you book accommodations at the Golden Nugget, you’re staying in the third-oldest hotel in Vegas. The Golden Nugget has been a fixture on Fremont Street since the 1940s. It houses a casino, spa, and fitness center, and you can go shopping or dine in one of several restaurants without setting foot outdoors.
The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino is another Fremont Street fixture. The Golden Gate Hotel opened its doors in 1906. Booking a room at the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino gives you a firsthand experience as a guest at the city’s oldest hotel.
2. Attend festivals and special events.
Check out the events in downtown Las Vegas during your visit. Vegas has no shortage of activities the whole family can enjoy, and when you head to Fremont Street, you can search for fun stuff for the kids near me to discover seasonal and ongoing events.
Popular seasonal and ongoing events include the following:
- Free concerts
- Las Vegas Bowl and Tailgate Party
- Las Vegas Christmas Tree Lighting
- The Las Vegas Great Santa Run
- Viva Vision Light Show
Popular Vegas festivals include the following:
- Exodus Festival: This music festival runs from May through August.
- Great American Foodie Festival: Enjoy free admission for kids under 48” when you attend this April festival.
- iHeartRadio Music Festival: This festival is held in September.
- Las Vegas Pride Festival: The Pride festival is in October.
- Life is Beautiful Music and Art Festival: Another September festival for music and art lovers to enjoy.
- NYE Time of Your Life Festival: Attendees must be 21, making this New Year’s Eve festival an option for families with adult children.
- Rise Lantern Festival. This festival occurs in October.
3. Go swimming.
Las Vegas is known for its hot summers. The average lows stay above freezing even in the coldest months of the year. From April through October, the average high temperatures in Vegas are 80 degrees or more.
Swimming is a fantastic way to beat the summer heat and burn energy. Some of the best kid-friendly pools and waterparks include the following:
- The Tank at the Golden Nugget. The Tank features a multi-story shark tank you travel through when you ride the 30-foot slide to the pool.
- Circus Circus’s Splash Zone and Pool. This waterpark features slides, swimming pools, waterfalls, and whirlpools.
- Cowabunga Bay. Two Cowabunga Bay waterparks have several fun water features to enjoy, including slides, wave pools, and a lazy river.
- Mandalay Bay Beach. Enjoy the sandy shores surrounding the wave pool and lazy river.
- Wet’N’Wild Las Vegas. Keep the kids busy with over two dozen slides, water rides for thrill seekers, and a giant dumping bucket.
4. Play mini golf.
Mini golf is a fun family activity for youngsters and adults alike. It’s also a great way to help your kids work on their hand-eye coordination. Vegas has several mini golf venues you can enjoy, including the following:
- All Fun Family Center
- Frosty’s Mini Golf Course at Magical Forest
- King Putt Mini Golf
- KISS by Monster Mini Golf
- Rex Center Vegas
- Topgolf
- Twilight Zone by Monster Mini Golf
5. Check out Vegas thrill rides.
Thrill rides include rides at extreme heights or speeds. These exhilarating rides get your blood pumping, and if you have a family of thrill seekers, Las Vegas has plenty of options to keep you busy.
Slotzilla
Head to Slotzilla and go zip-lining over Fremont Street. Choose between two zip lines that let you soar over downtown Vegas 7 or 11 stories above the ground. Depending on your experience, you can ride in a seat or fly superman style.
Indoor Skydiving
Kids over 40 lbs and adults who meet the height and weight recommendations can enjoy a simulated flying experience indoors in a space with walls padded with foam. You can take flying lessons, and those who want more time in the air can opt for the Indoor Skydiving Experience package.
High Roller Observation Wheel
The High Roller Observation Wheel is a landmark on The Strip. Riders reach heights of 550 feet and enjoy breathtaking views of the city.
Big Shot
If being launched over 150’ into the air sounds like a great time, head to The STRAT Hotel and ride Big Shot. If that doesn’t sound exhilarating enough, the ride starts from 921’ in the air.
SkyJump
Head to The STRAT Hotel for your chance to jump to a landing pad from 829’ in the air. Like a vertical zipline, SkyJump is a controlled descent with a safe landing – from a Guinness World Record height!
6. Take in some Vegas performances.
From Cirque du Soleil to the Tournament of Kings and productions by the Nevada Ballet, plenty of performances are suitable for the whole family. From acrobatic feats to historical plays, there’s an assortment of shows to choose from.
Music
Year-round downtown Las Vegas entertainment options include free musical performances. Vegas venues feature musical artists, including famous musicians and the hip-hop group JABBAWOCKEEZ. You can also check out a performance by the Las Vegas Philharmonic while in town.
Comedy
Enjoying Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a great way to ensure family fun. This act features a circus performer and dozens of furry and feathered friends who steal the show.
Magic Shows
Magic shows are entertaining, and when you see a performance by experts such as David Copperfield or Penn and Teller, you’ll see world-class magicians performing tricks you wouldn’t believe if you didn’t see them with your own eyes.
7. Go shopping.
Vegas has several excellent shopping venues to explore. You may find that a single day trip to the best shopping centers isn’t enough. If your family loves to cash in on deals and enjoy authentic shopping experiences, consider checking out the following Vegas shopping destinations:
- Antique Mall of America. Explore over 22,000 square feet of intriguing items, including antiques and collectibles.
- Downtown Container Park. This Fremont Street shopping destination has over three dozen stores.
- Fashion Show Las Vegas. It’s a good thing that Fashion Show Las Vegas has several restaurants. With 250 shops, it can take days to explore this shopping venue fully.
- Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. If you’ve ever binged episodes of Pawn Stars, you’ll want to visit the pawn shop featured in the show.
- The Grand Canal Shoppes. This shopping destination offers over 150 shops to explore.
- Las Vegas North Premium Outlets. This 40-acre outdoor mall is home to more than 170 shops where you can score great deals on designer items.
- Las Vegas South Premium Outlets. The Las Vegas South Premium Outlets is a little smaller than its counterpart in the north but still has over 140 stores.
- Miracle Mile Shops. Browse through 150 shops in the heart of The Strip.
8. Visit Vegas amusement parks.
Spending a day at a theme park is a great way to entertain the family, and some theme parks are worth a second visit. Las Vegas has several unique sites you might want to consider for your family’s Vegas vacation. Sites worth exploring include the following:
- The Adventuredome. This indoor theme park lets guests enjoy the rides in climate-controlled comfort year-round.
- Dig This Las Vegas. Give the kids a chance to operate some heavy equipment during a heavy machinery playground session.
- Fun Dungeon at Excalibur. This is the perfect destination for any family that loves games. Fun Dungeon at Excalibur has more than 200 games, including carnival and arcade games.
- Glowzone. Glowzone offers a range of activities, including laser tag, bowling, climbing walls, and obstacle courses.
- Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart. This is a unique interactive art exhibit suitable for the family to explore.
- The Midway. Enjoy carnival rides and games at this Vegas amusement park.
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park. A trip to a trampoline park is a great way to burn some energy with the kids.
9. Enjoy kid-friendly food experiences.
There is no shortage of fantastic family restaurants in Vegas. From popular Vegas downtown restaurants to restaurants at shopping malls and on The Strip, you’ll never be far from a great restaurant. Some restaurants perfect for young kids include the following:
- Rainforest Cafe
- Shake Shack
- Hello Kitty Cafe
Your food experiences aren’t limited to dining out in Vegas. There are several places where you can explore popular treats. Your family can enjoy a self-guided tour of Ethel M. Chocolate Factory and learn how they make their world-famous treats. Visit Hershey’s Chocolate World for an interactive experience and let your kids design their wrappers, and when you’re finished at Hershey’s, you can cap off the perfect sweet tooth tour day with a visit to M&M’s Las Vegas.
10. Visit Las Vegas museums and exhibitions.
Museums are excellent family options, and Vegas has a great selection of kid-friendly museums. You can spend the day in a climate-controlled environment. Depending on your family’s interests, some of the museums and exhibitions you should check out include the following:
- Barbie Exhibition
- Discovery Children’s Museum
- Hollywood Cars Museum
- Illuminarium
- Madame Tussauds
- Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
- Mob Museum
- Neon Museum
- Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum
11. Spend time with wildlife and marine life.
Many kids enjoy visiting animals, and Vegas has several sites where your family can see land and marine creatures. If you want to visit a zoo or aquarium, consider adding the following to your itinerary:
- Lion Habitat Ranch
- Seaquest Interactive Aquarium
- Shark Reef Aquarium
- Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
12. Enjoy nature.
Vegas is close to famous national parks, such as Grand Canyon National Park, and manufactured wonders like the Hoover Dam. A day trip to these venues gives you the perfect opportunity to explore the hiking trails at these sites, and you can even go boating at Lake Mead.
You don’t have to head out of the city to enjoy some impressive natural sights. Spend time exploring trees and plants at The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, or head to Springs Preserve, a 180-acre nature site just a few miles from downtown.
13. Take a tour.
You won’t have to worry about finding your way from place to place when you book a tour, and your tour guide can provide expert information as you take in the sights. Those who prefer using roadways to explore Vegas can opt for bus tours, and those who enjoy flying can book a Las Vegas Helicopter Tour for the family.
Vegas has dozens of fun family activities you can enjoy. Whether you prefer indoor activities, want to spend hours shopping, or want to experience a one-of-a-kind thrill ride, you’ll find great entertainment options in Vegas.
Sources
10 Oldest Hotels in Las Vegas. (2021).
Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Vegas. (2022).
Ford, A. (2021). Las Vegas ranked most fun, sinful city in America.